Explosion impacts Crawford Connection

NASHVILLE — Due to an explosion that damaged the convention hall at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, the 2012 Contractor Connection Expo schedule has been cancelled for today.

All events scheduled for today have been cancelled; as of press time, the Wednesday Welcome Reception will still take place, though it has been relocated and will have expanded hours.

Thursday and Friday''s schedules are expected to continue unchanged, but could still be altered or cancelled.

Any additional information regarding changes of schedule will be posted at the hotel.

A gas explosion occurred at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center Tuesday night causing the evacuation of over 5,000 guests, but no injuries were reported, according to the Washington Post.

Captain Ken Walburn of the Nashville Fire Department said it appeared that a gas leak was ignited inside a mechanical room on the first floor, which caused significant damage to an escalator, walls and ceiling, the article stated.

The explosion damaged the expo hall and will prevent usage of that space; as such, the expo portion of the show has been cancelled.